Connector shroud and assembly

ABSTRACT

A shroud is provided for an electrical connector assembly comprising a housing having a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing sides of the cavity having recesses therein, and elongated members extending from the sides longitudinally in each recess, each elongated member having a latch surface on the free end thereof directed inwardly in the recess; and the members being flexible axially within each recess to receive a pair of flange members on opposite sides of a connector block inserted in the shroud and to engage the latch surface on each member with a mating latch surface on each flange member to releasibly secure the connector block in the shroud.

' Unite States Patent Eigenbrode Dec. 16, 1975 [54] CONNECTOR SHROUD ANDASSEMBLY FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor? Gemge ThomasEigenbmde 6,405,509 11/1965 Netherlands 339/91 R Mechanicsburg, Pa. [73]Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Primary 'f Lake Company,Wilmington, DBL Asslstant Exammew-Nefl Abrams [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1974[57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 451,081 A shroud is provided for anelectrical connector assembly comprising a housing having a generallyrect- 52 US. 01. 339/91 R; 339/91 R i Cavity a Opposmg of 2 havingrecesses therein, and elongated members ex- [51] Int. Cl. HOlR 13/54 t fth l n h 68S 58 Field 0fSearch.. 339/45 M, 49 R, 61 M, 75 M, mg e 68 m y339/75 MP 91 R 176 M 176 MP 184 M each elongated member havmg a latchsurface on the free end thereof directed inwardly in the recess; and[561 2 12213531252332:32: merges 5172;221:2152:

UNITED STATES PATENTS of a connector block inserted in the shroud and toen- 3,368,182 2/1968 Culver 339/91 R gage the latch surface on eachmember with a mating 3,434,098 3/1969 Schumacher--- 339/184 M latchsurface on each flange member to releasibly se- 3,588,784 6/1971 Kunkleet a1. 339/124 M cure the Connector block in the shroud. 3,733,5775/1973 Hammond I 339/91 R 3,820,055 6/1974 Huffnagle et a1. 339/97 P 15Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. atent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 10f2 3,926,497

H gas-iii il- U.S. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,926,497

CONNECTOR SHROUD AND ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates to electrical connectorassemblies, and particularly relates to housing assemblies forreleasibly latching a connector block and a plurality of electricalconnectors therein with a plurality of mating electrical connectors.

2. Description of the Prior Art Electrical connector blocks, housing andassemblies are well-known in the prior art. An electrical connectorblock suitable for use with the shroud of the present invention, withminor modifications, is described in US. Pat. No. 3,781,760. Anelectrical connector housing having a hood or shroud integrally formedwith a connector block for receiving another connector block having aplurality of mating electrical connectors therein is described in US.Pat. No. 3,366,729. A three piece separable electrical connector housingassembly, wherein the intermediate housing has a plurality of cavitiestherein in alignment with a plurality of mating connectors in a pair ofconnector blocks, is described in US. Pat. No. 3,434,098. A housingmember for electrical connectors comprising identical parts is describedin US. Pat. No. 3,497,942.

The shroud and connector block assembly of the present invention isreadily distinguished from the prior art assemblies by the elongatedmembers longitudinally disposed in recesses provided in opposing sidesof the shroud cavity and the latching surface on the free end of eachelongated member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a shroud isprovided for an electrical connector assembly comprising a housinghaving a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing sides of thecavity having recesses therein, and elongated members extending from thesides longitudinally. in each recess, each elongated member having alatch surface on the free end thereof, and the members being axiallyflexible within each recess to receive a pair of flange members onopposite sides of a connector block inserted in the shroud and to engagethe latch surface on the free end of each elongated member with a matinglatch surface on each flange member and releasibly secure the connectorblock in the shroud.

In the preferred embodiment of the shroud of the present invention anedge of each recess in the opposing sides of the cavity is inclined withrespect to the elongated member and spaced therefrom to provide a stopfor the axial flexing of the elongated member during insertion of aconnector block in the shroud. The stop edge of the recess preventsover-flexing the elongated member and damaging it.

Preferrably, a cam surface is provided on the free end of each memberopposite the latching surface and directed outwardly from the recess toengage each flange member on opposing sides of the connector block andfacilitate flexing the member axially within the recess when theconnector block is inserted in the shroud.

A preferred connector block for use with the shroud of the presentinvention comprises a generally rectangular body having a plurality ofterminal receiving cavities therein for electrical connectors, and apair of flange members disposed on opposite sides of the body,

each flange member having a surface coplanar with a common surface ofthe body and a latch surface at one end of the flange member.Preferably, each flange member has a cam surface on a leading edge ofthe member for engaging the free end of each elongated member of theshroud and flexing each elongated member axially within the recess toreceive the connector block, and a latch surface on a trailing end ofthe flange member for engagement by the latch surface on each elongatedmember.

According to the present invention there is also provided a polarizedelectrical connector assembly comprising a shroud and a pair of likeconnector blocks, having a plurality of mating electrical connectorsmounted therein. In a preferred connector assembly of the invention, theopposing sides of the cavity additionally have slots for receiving apair of flanges on opposing side of a like connector block, and a pairof latch arms mounted exteriorly on opposite sides of the housing andinclined with respect to the housing, each latch arm having a latchsurface on the free end thereof for releasibly securing the likeconnector block in the connector assembly. Preferably, each latch arm inintegrally formed with a pivotal release lever and a fulcrum integrallyconnected to the opposite sides of the housmg.

Additionally, there is provided a polarized electrical connectorassembly comprising a shroud integrally formed with a header blockhaving a plurality of electrical connectors mounted therein and aconnector block having a plurality of mating electric connectors.

The shroud and connector assembly of the present invention provide foraccurate alignment of a plurality of electrical connectors with aplurality of mating electrical connectors, polarization of the matingelectrical connectors and releasible latching of the connector blocks inthe assembly. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the shroudand connector assembly, the shroud provides for protection of maleelectrical connectors in a connector block. Further, the shroud providesa polarized interconnection of mating electrical connectors using likeconnector blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of apreferred embodiment of a shroud and connector assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation drawing in section taken along line 22 of theshroud and connector assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the shroud and connector assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevation drawing illustrating a headerblock including ashroud and connector assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of theshroud and connector assembly of the present invention is described withreference to the attached drawings wherein the same numerals are usedthroughout to identify the same elements.

With the particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a connector assemblycomprising a shroud 10 and connector blocks 12 and 13 housing,respectively, a plurality of mating female and male electricalconnectors, is illustrated 3 In a preferred embodiment a hollowrectangular cavity 11 is formed of molded plastic, having a top 16,bottom 18 and sides 20. The sides 20 have integrally formed thereinrecesses 22 and elongated members 24,

which are flexible axially within each recess 22 for receiving flanges14 on opposite sides of connector block 13. A latch surface 28 isprovided on the free end of each elongated member 24. Each latch surface28 is inwardly directed in each recess 22 for receiving the flanges 14on the connector block 13 and engaging mating latch surfaces 17 on thetrailing ends of flanges 14 on block 13. Cam surfaces 30 are integrallyformed on the free ends of the flexible members, opposite each latchsurface 28, and flex the members axially within each recess 22 upwardwhen engaged by cam surfaces 15 on the leading ends of each flange 14 oninserting of connector block 13 in the shroud. Edge surface 27 of eachrecess 22 is preferably spaced from and inclined with respect to eachelongated member 24 to stop the axial flexing of each member 24 in eachrecess 22 during insertion of the connector block 13 to preventoverflexing and possible damage to members 24.

When the connector block 13 is fully inserted in shroud 10, theelongated members 24 engage latch surface 28 with the mating latchsurfaces 17 on the trailing ends of flange members 14 to lock the block13 in shroud 10. The flexible elongated members 24 may be readilydisengaged by manually flexing them upward to disengage latch surfaces28 and 17 and the connector block 13 may be withdrawn from the shroud10.

Slots 32 are provided in the sides of the cavity 11 on the ends oppositerecesses 22 for receiving flanges 14 on connector block 12. Quickrelease latch arms 34 are integrally formed with release levers 40 andintegrally connected to exterior sides of the shroud 10 by fulcrum 44.Arms 34 are inclined with respect to sides 20 and have latch surfaces 36on the free ends thereof and cam surfaces 38 opposite the latch surfaces36. On insertion of the connector block 12, preferably housing aplurality of female connectors, the cam surfaces 38 engage each flange14 on the block 12 and flex the latch arms 34 outward about fulcrum 44.Slots 32 receive flanges 14 on the sides of block 12 and provide forpolarized mating of the male electrical connectors in block 13 andfemale connectors in block 12. When connector block 12 is fully insertedthe latch arms flex to engage each latch surface 17 of each flange 14 onthe connector block 12 and lock the connector block 12 in shroud 10. Thelatch surfaces 36 secure the block in the shroud l0, and mechanicallysecure the mating electrical connectors in blocks 12 and 13. Block 12may be readily disengaged the withdrawn from the shroud assembly bymanually pinching the release levers 40 to flex the quick release latcharms 34 about fulcrum 44 and disengage each latch surface 36 from eachlatch surface 17 on flanges 14 of connector block 12. Stops 42 provideson levers 40 prevent over flexing of arms 34 and damage to fulcrum 44.

Suitable like connector blocks 12 and 13, are similar to connectorblocks described in US. Pat. No. 3,781,760 and comprise an insulationhousing 52 formed of suitable dielectric material such as a moldableplastic. A number of terminal receiving cavities 54 are formed in thebody and extend between the sides 56 and 58. Cavity terminal entrances60 are formed in the sides 56 and contact entrances 62 are formed insides 58. Each cavity 54 has a bottom wall 64, a top wall 66, and a pairof spaced sides walls 68. Flanged members 4 14 are integrally formedwith or otherwise suitably attached to sides 53 of the housing 52, andare coplanar with a surface of the blocks.

An alternate embodiment of the shroud and connector assembly of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In thisembodiment the shroud is integrally formed with a right angle headerblock 72 having a plurality of electrical connectors mounted therein.The shroud 70 comprises a top 76 and sides 78 having recesses 80 withelongated members 82 extending from each side 78 longitudinally in eachrecess. Each elongated member 82 flexes axially within each recess 80and a base member 86 for receiving flanged members 94 of the connectorblock 92. A latch surface 88 is integrally formed on the free end ofeach elongated member 82, and is inwardly directed in each recess 80. Acam surface 90 is provided opposite latch surface 88 for engaging camsurface on flange 94 of the connector block 92 and axially flexingmembers 82 within each recess 80 when the block is inserted in theshroud 70. Each elongated member 82 engages latch surfaces 88 with themating latch surfaces 97 on the trailing ends of flanges 94 when block92 is fully inserted to secure the block in the shroud 70, andmechanically secure the electrical connectors in blocks 92 with themating connectors in the header block 72. Although this embodiment isillustrated with reference to a right angle header block 72, it isreadily apparent shroud 70 is equally useful with a straight throughheader block. Such header blocks may be readily mounted on a circuitboard, as illustrated, or otherwise conventionally mounted tointerconnect electrical circuit subassemblies.

While the above description and attached drawings illustrate thepreferred embodiments of the shroud and connector assembly of thepresent invention, it is apparent that other embodiments andmodifications are equivalent and will be obvious to one skilled in theart, and the invention is not to be limited except by the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A shroud for an electrical connector assembly comprising a unitaryhousing having a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing sidewalls of said cavity having recessed openings therein, and an elongatedmember extending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessedopening, each elongated member having a latch surface on the free endthereof, each latch surface extending from the member toward a side ofthe recessed opening, and each member being flexible in axial alignmentwith each recessed opening and toward a side of said recessed opening toreceive a flange member on each side of a connector block inserted inthe shroud and to engage the latch surface on each elongated member witha mating latch surface on a trailing end of each flange member andreleasably secure the connector block in the shroud.

2. A shroud, as recited in claim 1, said latch surface on each elongatedmember being inwardly directed in axial alignment with said recessedopening.

3. A shroud, as recited in claim 1, including a longitudinal edge ofeach recessed opening in said opposing sides being spaced from eachmember to provide a stop for the axial flexing of each elongated member.

4. A shroud, as recited in claim 2, each elongated member additionallyincluding a cam surface disposed on the free end thereof, opposite saidlatch surface, outwardly directly from each recessed opening forengaging each flange member on the opposite side of the connector blockand flexing each elongated member in axial alignment with said recessedopening.

5. A shroud, as recited in claim 1, each elongated member and side wallof said housing being of substantially uniform thickness material.

6. A shroud, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shroud is integrallyformed with a header block having a plurality of electrical connectorsdisposed therein.

7. A shroud, as recited in claim 6, wherein said electrical connectorsare male terminals.

8. A shroud for an electrical connector assembly comprising a unitaryhousing having a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing sidewalls of said cavity having recessed openings therein, and an elongatedmember extending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessedopening, each elongated member having a latch surface on the free endthereof, and each member being flexible in axial alignment with eachrecessed opening to receive a flange member on each side of a firstconnector lock inserted in the shroud and to engage the latch surface oneach elongated member with a mating latch surface on a trailing end ofeach flange member and releasable secure the first connector block inthe shroud, a slotted opening in each opposing side wall of said housingat the end opposite said recessed opening for receiving a flange memberon each side of a second like connector block, and a pair of latch armsmounted on opposite sides of said housing, each latch arm having a latchsurface on the free end thereof for releasable securing said secondconnector block in said connector assembly.

9. A shroud, as recited in claim 8, said latch surface on each elongatedmember being inwardly directed in axial alignment with said recessedopening.

10. A shroud, as recited in claim 8, wherein a longitudinal edge of eachrecessed opening in said opposing sides is spaced from each member toprovide a stop for the axial flexing of each elongated member.

11. A shroud, as recited in claim 8, wherein each latch arrnadditionally comprises a pivotal release lever for disengaging eachlatch surface and removing said second connector block.

12. A polarized electrical connector assembly comprising a shroud and apair of like elctrical connector blocks having a plurality of matingelectrical connectors mounted therein, each connector block comprising agenerally rectangular body having a plurality of terminal receivingcavities therein for electrical connectors, and a pair of flange membersdisposed on opposite sides of the body, each flange member having asurface coplanar with a surface of the body and a latch surface; saidshroud comprising a unitary housing having a generally rectangularcavity, a pair of opposing side walls of said cavity having recessedopenings therein, an elongated member extending from each side walllongitudinally in each recessed opening, each elongated member having alatch surface on the free end thereof, inwardly directed in axialalignment with said recessed opening, said member being flexible inaxial alignment with each recessed opening to receive each flange memberon opposite sides of the first connector block inserted in the shroudand to engage the latch surface on each elongated member with a matinglatch surface on each flange member and releasably secure the firstconnector block in the shroud, a slotted opening in each opposing sidewall of said housing at each end opposite said recessed opening forreceiving each flange member on opposite sides of a second likeconnector block inserted in the shroud, and a air of latch arms disposedon opposite sides of said housing, each latch arm having a latch surfaceon the free end thereof for releasably securing the second connectorblock in said connector assembly.

13. A connector assembly, a recited in claim 1, wherein said electricalconnectors in said first connector block are male terminals and saidmating electrical connectors in said second connector block are femaleterminals.

14. A polarized electrical connector assembly comprising a header blockhaving a plurality of electrical connectors disposed therein, a shroudintegrally formed with said header block, an electrical connector blockhaving a plurality of mating electrical connectors mounted therein, saidconnector block comprising a generally rectangular body having aplurality of terminal-receiving cavities therein for electricalconnectors, a pair of flange members disposed on opposite sides of thebody, each flange member having a surface coplanar with a surface of thebody and a latch surface; said shroud comprising a unitary housinghaving a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing side walls ofsaid cavity having recessed openings therein, and an elongated memberextending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessed opening,each elongated member having a latch surface on the free end thereof,each latch surface extending from the member toward a side of saidrecess opening, each member being flexible in axial alignment with saidrecessed opening and toward a side of the recessed opening to receiveeach flange member on opposite sides of said connector block inserted inthe shroud and to engage the latch surface on each elongated member withthe latch surface on each flange member and releasably secure theconnector block in the connector assembly.

15. A connector assembly, as recited in claim 1, wherein the electricalconnectors in said header block are male terminals and the matingelectrical connectors in said connector block are female terminals.

1. A shroud for an electrical connector assembly comprising a unitaryhousing having a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing sidewalls of said cavity having recessed openings therein, and an elongatedmember extending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessedopening, each elongated member having a latch surface on the free endthereof, each latch surface extending from the member toward a side ofthe recessed opening, and each member being flexible in axial alignmentwith each recessed opening and toward a side of said recessed opening toreceive a flange member on each side of a connector block inserted inthe shroud and to engage the latch surface on each elongated member witha mating latch surface on a trailing end of each flange member andreleasably secure the connector block in the shroud.
 2. A shroud, asrecited in claim 1, said latch surface on each elongated member beinginwardly directed in axial alignment with said recessed opening.
 3. Ashroud, as recited in claim 1, including a longitudinal edge of eachrecessed opening in said opposing sides being spaced from each member toprovide a stop for the axial flexing of each elongated member.
 4. Ashroud, as recited in claim 2, each elongated member additionallyincluding a cam surface disposed on the free end thereof, opposite saidlatch surface, outwardly directly from each recessed opening forengaging each flange member on the opposite side of the connector blockand flexing each elongated member in axial alignment with said recessedopening.
 5. A shroud, as recited in claim 1, each elongated member andside wall of said housing being of substantially uniform thicknessmaterial.
 6. A shroud, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shroud isintegrally formed with a header block having a plurality of electricalconnectors disposed therein.
 7. A shroud, as recited in claim 6, whereinsaid electrical connectors are male terminals.
 8. A shroud for anelectrical connector assembly comprising a unitary housing having agenerally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing side walls of saidcavity having recessed openings therein, and an elongated memberextending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessed opening,each elongated member having a latch surface on the free end thereof,and each member being flexible in axial alignment with each recessedopening to receive a flange member on each side of a first connectorlock inserted in the shroud and to engage the latch surface on eachelongated member with a mating latch surface on a trailing end of eacHflange member and releasable secure the first connector block in theshroud, a slotted opening in each opposing side wall of said housing atthe end opposite said recessed opening for receiving a flange member oneach side of a second like connector block, and a pair of latch armsmounted on opposite sides of said housing, each latch arm having a latchsurface on the free end thereof for releasable securing said secondconnector block in said connector assembly.
 9. A shroud, as recited inclaim 8, said latch surface on each elongated member being inwardlydirected in axial alignment with said recessed opening.
 10. A shroud, asrecited in claim 8, wherein a longitudinal edge of each recessed openingin said opposing sides is spaced from each member to provide a stop forthe axial flexing of each elongated member.
 11. A shroud, as recited inclaim 8, wherein each latch arm additionally comprises a pivotal releaselever for disengaging each latch surface and removing said secondconnector block.
 12. A polarized electrical connector assemblycomprising a shroud and a pair of like elctrical connector blocks havinga plurality of mating electrical connectors mounted therein, eachconnector block comprising a generally rectangular body having aplurality of terminal receiving cavities therein for electricalconnectors, and a pair of flange members disposed on opposite sides ofthe body, each flange member having a surface coplanar with a surface ofthe body and a latch surface; said shroud comprising a unitary housinghaving a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing side walls ofsaid cavity having recessed openings therein, an elongated memberextending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessed opening,each elongated member having a latch surface on the free end thereof,inwardly directed in axial alignment with said recessed opening, saidmember being flexible in axial alignment with each recessed opening toreceive each flange member on opposite sides of the first connectorblock inserted in the shroud and to engage the latch surface on eachelongated member with a mating latch surface on each flange member andreleasably secure the first connector block in the shroud, a slottedopening in each opposing side wall of said housing at each end oppositesaid recessed opening for receiving each flange member on opposite sidesof a second like connector block inserted in the shroud, and a air oflatch arms disposed on opposite sides of said housing, each latch armhaving a latch surface on the free end thereof for releasably securingthe second connector block in said connector assembly.
 13. A connectorassembly, a recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical connectors insaid first connector block are male terminals and said mating electricalconnectors in said second connector block are female terminals.
 14. Apolarized electrical connector assembly comprising a header block havinga plurality of electrical connectors disposed therein, a shroudintegrally formed with said header block, an electrical connector blockhaving a plurality of mating electrical connectors mounted therein, saidconnector block comprising a generally rectangular body having aplurality of terminal-receiving cavities therein for electricalconnectors, a pair of flange members disposed on opposite sides of thebody, each flange member having a surface coplanar with a surface of thebody and a latch surface; said shroud comprising a unitary housinghaving a generally rectangular cavity, a pair of opposing side walls ofsaid cavity having recessed openings therein, and an elongated memberextending from each side wall longitudinally in each recessed opening,each elongated member having a latch surface on the free end thereof,each latch surface extending from the member toward a side of saidrecess opening, each member being flexible in axial alignment with saidrecessed opening and toward a side of the recessed opening to receiveeach flange member on opposite sidEs of said connector block inserted inthe shroud and to engage the latch surface on each elongated member withthe latch surface on each flange member and releasably secure theconnector block in the connector assembly.
 15. A connector assembly, asrecited in claim 1, wherein the electrical connectors in said headerblock are male terminals and the mating electrical connectors in saidconnector block are female terminals.